The Future of Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Syria: What is Russia’s Rationale?

... government-controlled areas. Additionally, 3.8 million out of 6.2 million internally displaced persons lived in such areas too. Thus, the majority — 62 percent — of those who need humanitarian aid are in government-held areas which are under strict Western sanctions that significantly complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid, in addition to the deteriorating socio-economic situation. At the same time, areas out of Damascus's control are not subject to Western sanctions, which allows any sort of cross-border aid flow. Of course, the UN cooperates with the ...